ISLAMABAD: Following reports about the contamination of Dhoke Sandaymar Dam, the Punjab Small Dam Organisation (SDO) has written to the Capital Development (CDA) chairman complaining about the civic agency’s failure to protect the reservoir.

The SDO Circle-l Islamabad project director has written a letter to the CDA chief regarding the contamination of Dhoke Sandaymar Dam.

The dam is located at Nikki Kas in sector D-17, about 4km from Sangjani.

The dam’s primary purpose is to supply water for irrigation. It also offers fish farming opportunities.

“Besides direct benefits like irrigation and fish production, the water pond also contributes to the underground aquifer recharge in the area,” the letter said.

The catchment area of the dam extends up to Tarnol with various localities lying in between.

“It has been observed that untreated sewerage and wastewater from these settlements is discharged into the natural drains,” the letter read.

“This untreated water is contaminating the lake, making it unsuitable for irrigation as well as unhealthy for any kind of aquaculture,” it stated.

Some of the areas which have been identified as main contributors to contamination include Tarnol, Moosa Town, Iqra Colony, Saifia Town, Pind Parian village, Ratti Kassi, Ittefaq Colony, Mohalla Farooq-i-Azam (Sarai Kharbooza), Cabinet Division Employees Cooperative Housing Society (sectors E-16-E-17) and Roshan Pakistan Cooperative Housing Society, E-16.

The project director also requested that action under prevalent bylaws and environmental regulations be taken to stop the entry of contaminated water from the above-mentioned settlements.

“An immediate and effective action will not only preserve the natural beauty of the lake but will also safeguard the well-being of all who depend on it.”

The matter has also been raised with the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency director general.

Similar complaints have been registered with the CDA regarding the contamination of Rawal Dam.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2025